movie review
Fred Claus
Vince Vaughn Rocks the North Pole
Every year about this time, you can expect a movie that falls into the “stupid Christmas movie” category. This movie almost falls into that category, but it’s saved by Vince Vaughn’s edgy humor, a wealth of acting talent, and a few positive messages thrown in for good measure.
Vaughn plays Fred Claus, the older brother of Nick (Paul Giamatti), who comes out of the womb uttering the words “ho ho ho.” Fred’s a good kid, but let’s face it, he’s no saint. That’s a lot to live up to, especially when your mom keeps saying, “I wish you were more like your brother.” Geez, Mom. Way to instill a big, fat complex in a kid.
The Claus boys were born long ago in a cabin in the woods. Apparently, the entire family of a saint gets to a certain age and never gets any older. The parents (Kathy Bates and Trevor Peacock) are stuck in their 60’s, while the boys are in their mid to late 40’s. While Nick grows up to build a huge empire of elves and goodness at the North Pole – including marrying the lovely Annette (Miranda Richardson) – Fred grows up to be a self-involved repo man with a knack for getting into trouble.
When Fred lands in jail right before Christmas, Nick agrees to bail him out, but only if he comes to the North Pole and works off his debt. You can see where this is headed. Fred arrives at the North Pole and immediately causes havoc, replacing the workshop D.J.’s (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) traditional “Here Comes Santa Claus” with Elvis Presley’s “Rubberneckin’.” The best scene in this movie is the one where Fred rocks it out with the elves in the workshop.
Unfortunately, the elves’ work goes by the wayside, and they get behind on their toy building duties. Enter Clyde (Kevin Spacey), an uptight efficiency expert who lurks around looking for a reason to shut down the North Pole for good.
Subplots involve a lovelorn elf, Willie (John Michael Higgins), who’s sweet on workshop manager Charlene (Elizabeth Banks); Fred’s girlfriend Wanda (Rachel Weisz); and an orphaned kid, Slam (Bobb’e J. Thompson).
Ok, so this movie probably won’t turn into a holiday classic, but it’s fun for kids and has just enough edgy humor to make it fun for adults. One funny scene involves Fred attending a group therapy session with other forgotten brothers, including Frank Stallone, Roger Clinton, and Stephen Baldwin. Yes, they’re really in the movie.
I bet you’ll leave the theater smiling, and that’s always a good thing.
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